Bible Question:
Hi Steve! 1) Words. From your two posts, I'm assuming that you feel that worship should be done in a certain position. I will grant that many of the words for worship included the idea of bowing or prostrating one's self before someone or something else. However, is this an essential part of worship or a cultural part of worship? In other words, does the fact that most people then bowed to worship mean that we must as well? Are there any Scriptures that proscribe the way in which we must worship? 2) Translations. I really didn't see any problems with the tranlations that I checked. Do you have any specific examples? 3) Teachings. You lost me on this one! You saw only 2 of what 200 teachings? Who are they? I have enjoyed the study I have been doing of some of these words. However, the biggest problem I see in worship is simply that we don't allow ourselves enough time to really experience God's presence. We rush through our worship services. We rush through our devotions. We never (or at least seldom) slow down enough to worship. Tim Moran |
Bible Answer: Hi Tim ... 1) Terms a.k.a. Words. It is not cultural. Most, if not all, cultures give worship in the same way. It is true for most of the Bible. Some cultures, like the Eskimos, do not have lambs, so there must be a subsitute. The Scriptural basis is the words in the original. 2) Translations. Exodus 3:12,12:31 is translated abad by the NAS. The same phrase, or something very close is seen again in Exodus (4:23; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3, 7, 8, 11, 24, 26). It is translated serve in the NAS and most translations. Romans 12:1 says, "spiritual service of worship". The words service and worship in the NAS are 'abad. It does not make sense, since it only appears once in the original. The King James Version translates the last phrase, "which is your reasonable service." Which fits better. The rest of the chapter, even up to Romans 15:22 is about our service. 3) Teachings. I hope you want the correct ones. John Hubley and Roy Davison are the only ones I have found. 4) Time. I agree with you that we do not spend enough time with God. But, not just in our corporate time, but our private time, too. Not, just in worship, but, in prayer, praise (singing), peruse (reading throughly) the Bible. Steve |